The Jewish Education Center of Nashua offers a unique, innovative approach to Jewish Education.
Why don’t we call it “Hebrew School”? First, because we learn much more than Hebrew! We experience all things Jewish including values, traditions, texts, culture, people and more! And second, with our “voice and choice” approach to learning, it does not feel like a school!
The Jewish Education Center of Nashua (JECoN) is a hands-on, experiential learning center where the learners are in their driver’s seat, empowered from a young age to make choices about what style of learning is best for them, how they would like to explore Jewish living, and to utilize their talents and interests to explore Judaism so they can create their own, personal Jewish identity.
Our center offers the following spaces:
We believe learning is most meaningful when students have freedom and choice. When they can follow their interests and engage with material in ways that resonate with them, they are more likely to truly absorb and connect with what they learn.
At our Education Center, students develop their own relationship with Judaism through exploring heritage and traditions, texts and stories, holidays, and Shabbat. Each Sunday, the entire program comes together around a shared Judaic theme—such as a Jewish value, an upcoming holiday, or a Torah story. In this way, we learn as a community while honoring each student’s individuality. Our ultimate goal is to nurture a lasting love of Judaism, however it takes shape for each person.
Children in the PreK-K age group spend the entire morning with their group and teacher. They study the same topic as the older students through an interactive, developmentally appropriate approach in which they are offered voice and choice while participating in activities designed for them by our expert educator. Nature and science, playful activities, Hebrew vocabulary as well as artistic projects are integrated into the day's plan.
During our Sunday program for grades 1–5, children begin the day with Modern Hebrew learning. We focus on practical, meaningful vocabulary—family members, body parts, weather, colors, as well as holiday and ritual terms. Students learn through hands-on, experiential activities as they build skills in letters, vowels, and everyday Hebrew words—sometimes even cooking in Hebrew! This engaging approach offers a fresh and dynamic way to learn the language. Our goal is for each child to develop Hebrew skills that support both modern conversation and confident use of the Siddur and Torah.
Each Sunday, students have some time to enjoy a snack, the fresh outdoors air in our backyard garden or simply chat with friends. We then gather as a community of learners to introduce the topic of the day. This may look like a group activity, storytelling, song and movement or a conversation.
During the Judaic portion of our Sunday program, children explore the day’s theme through an area that sparks their interest. Each week, they can choose to engage with the lesson through art, drama, or science, with occasional additional options such as cooking, games, or music. Experienced instructors guide each group, providing the tools and support needed to deepen learning in their chosen space. On any given Sunday, you might see one group immersed in creative art, another experimenting with hands-on discovery, and a third bringing ideas to life through dramatic role-play. No matter the choice, students are actively engaged in meaningful learning—while having fun.
Our center offers a rich children’s Jewish library, filled with books on a variety of topics. From holidays and Torah stories to chapter books and Jewish history, there is something to engage every age and interest. Children are welcome to borrow books to enjoy at home or relax in our comfortable reading area and explore them onsite.